Tropical Storm Fay (2002)
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | September 5, 2002 |
Remnant low | September 8 |
Dissipated | September 11, 2002 |
Tropical storm | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 60 mph (95 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 998 mbar (hPa); 29.47 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | None |
Damage | $4.5 million (2002 USD) |
Areas affected | Texas, northern Mexico |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2002 Atlantic hurricane season |
Tropical Storm Fay was the sixth named storm of the
The storm caused extremely heavy rainfall in inland areas; damage reached $4.5 million (2002 USD), though there were no fatalities due to Fay.[1]
Meteorological history
In the first few days of September 2002, an
Stationary in movement, the associated convection became removed from the center of circulation; despite this, the system gradually intensified.[2][6] On September 6, the storm reached its peak intensity of 60 mph (100 km/h). Light wind shear prevented Fay from intensifying further, and the gradual movement was dictated by a weak mid-level ridge to the north.[2][6] A low pressure system to the south of Fay produced wind shear and resulted in decreased convection on the southern half of the circulation, with the majority of convective activity located on the northern half.[7] Fay soon became disorganized which prompted National Hurricane Center forecaster Avila to state, "[Fay] rather resembles a subtropical storm".[8] Fay moved little, and intensified slightly late on September 6.[8][9]
On September 7, Fay began to drift northwest towards the Texas coast as its rainbands reached the northwest portion of the Texas coastline.[10] Fay accelerated towards the Texas coast and made
Preparations
Coinciding with the development of the tropical depression, forecasters issued a tropical storm warning for parts of the Texas coast.[4] When the depression was upgraded into Tropical Storm Fay, the warnings were extended from Matagorda, Texas to coastal Louisiana. On September 8, forecasters extended the warnings to Port Aransas, Texas, and areas from Port O'Connor to High Island, Texas were put under a hurricane watch as the storm was forecast to reach hurricane strength before making landfall. However, the hurricane watch for those areas were discontinued when Fay failed to reach hurricane strength.[1] In addition, coastal Texas as well as coastal Louisiana were under a coastal flood warning,[11] while parts of inland Texas were under flash flood warnings and flood warnings.[11]
Schools closed in Galveston and High Island on September 6 in anticipation of the storm, and voluntary evacuation orders were put into effect along low-lying coastal areas.[12] Some grocery stores in Angleton reported supply shortages.[13]
Impact
In Louisiana and Mississippi, effects were minor, and limited to moderate rain up to three inches (76 mm).[14]
The effects in Texas were moderate to severe in some locations, with flooding being the main source of damage. In total, 400 houses sustained damage from flooding.[15][16] Along the coast, a waterspout spawned by Fay made landfall, and caused minor damage along the northern end of Galveston Island.[17] Storm surge along the Texas coast was 4.5 feet (1.1 m) above the normal high tide.[18] Peak rainfall throughout the area was in the range of 10-15 inches (250–380 mm).[18] Severe damage resulted from Fay in Sweeny, where about 1,000 homes and businesses were damaged by the storm, and there was $3.5 million (2002 USD) in damage. Rainfall totals up to 24 inches (600 mm) caused severe flash flooding there, and in areas near there. Another area that received severe damage from Fay was Matagorda County, where flooding from the storm left $1.3 million (2002 USD) in damage to roads and public facilities.
Twelve tornadoes were reported during Fay's landfall. The most notable one destroyed a mobile home, and damaged a barn.
In Mexico, effects were mostly related to rainfall. Up to 16 inches (400 mm) of rain fell in some areas.[14] When Fay flooded areas such as Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, 100 families were evacuated from their homes, and 120 people were stranded in hotels. It was reported that 10 trees fell in Nuevo Laredo, but causing little or no damage. Also, the Rio Grande flooded its banks to 3.3 meters (10 ft) above flood stage. 300 families were reported to be not able to return to their homes for several weeks as a result of the flooding.[20]
Aftermath
Nine counties in Texas were declared disaster areas after Tropical Storm Fay: Brazoria, Frio, Galveston, La Salle, Live Oak, Matagorda, Nueces, San Patricio and Wharton. The declaration enabled business owners and residents to apply for federal and state government aid programs.[21][22] Disaster housing checks handed out after the storm totaled to over $2.7 million (2002 USD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had carried out over 2,700 home and building inspections. Non-government relief programs such as The Individual and Family Grant Program had distributed over $400,000 (2002 USD) in checks, and over $1 million (2002 USD) in relief funds. The Small Business Administration also funded over $250,000 (2002 USD) in relief aid.[23] After Tropical Storm Fay, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that they would apply special tax relief for the nine counties in Texas that were declared disaster areas.[24]
See also
- List of Texas hurricanes
- Other storms of the same name
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Stacy R. Stewart (2002). "Tropical storm Fay Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2015-05-26.
- ^ a b c Beven (2002). "Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 3". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
- ^ a b Lawrence (2002). "Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 8". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
- ^ a b Franklin (2002). "Tropical Depression Six Discussion Number 1". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
- ^ Avila/Knabb (2002). "Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 2". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
- ^ a b Franklin (2002). "Tropical Storm Fay Public Advisory Number 4". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-01-20.
- ^ Franklin (2002). "Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 4". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
- ^ a b Avila (2002). "Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 6". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
- ^ Franklin (2002). "Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 5". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Pasch (2002). "Tropical Storm Fay Discussion Number 7". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
- ^ a b c Hydrological Prediction Center (2002). "Tropical Storm Fay Advisory Number 9". Retrieved 2008-01-20.
- ^ USA Today (2002-09-15). "Fay Spins off Galveston, sends rain, wind ashore". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-03-21.
- ^ Bridie Isensee (2003). "Residents in no apparent hurry to stock up". The Facts. Retrieved 2008-03-21.
- ^ a b Hydrological Prediction Center (2002). "Tropical Storm Fay". Retrieved 2008-01-30.
- ^ Richard J. Pasch; Miles B. Lawrence; Lixion A. Avila; John L. Beven; James L. Franklin & Stacy R. Stewart (2002). "2002 Atlantic hurricane season" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
- ^ Red cross (2002). "Tropical Storm Fay strikes south Texas". Red cross. Archived from the original on 2008-08-27. Retrieved 2008-01-07.
- ^ NCDC (2002). "Event-tornado September 6". NOAA. Archived from the original on 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
- ^ a b CBS news (2002-09-06). "Tropical storm Fay fades as it moves inland". CBS. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
- ^ NCDC (2002). "Event-flooding September 8". NOAA. Archived from the original on 2008-09-04. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
- ^ CDI (2002). "Los pueblos indígenas en la prensa nacional". CDI. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-09.
- ^ FEMA (2002). "FEMA Declared Counties". FEMA. Archived from the original on 2012-02-18. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
- ^ FEMA (2002). "Tropical storm Fay news release". FEMA. Archived from the original on 2012-02-18. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
- ^ FEMA (2002). "Disaster Assistance Update for Ten Counties Affected by Tropical Storm Fay". FEMA. Archived from the original on 2012-02-18. Retrieved 2008-01-03.
- ^ IRS (2002). "Tax relief to Tropical Storm Fay victims". Retrieved 2008-01-30.